Alleged sexual predator believed to be hiding in Toronto area

TORONTO -- Police are searching here for a US fugitive who they allege is a sexual predator who uses his position in his local congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses to get close to children.

Frederick Cecil McLean, 61, is among the US Marshals' 15 most wanted fugitives and is believed to be hiding in the Toronto area, police said Wednesday.

He is wanted in California on four counts of child molestation, as well as multiple counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under 14 and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

McLean's story has been aired twice on the TV show America's Most Wanted without leading to his arrest.
An arrest warrant was issued for him in Jan. 2005, when police believe he fled to Canada.

The Marshals said McLean is accused of sexually assaulting four separate U.S. victims who were children under 14.
"One of the victims claims that McLean molested her over 100 times between 1991 and 1996," U.S. police said.

The Marshals allege McLean, who has a successful business restoring cars, gained access to many his victims through his involvement in a San Diego-area congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Police said McLean fled the U.S. after being confronted by his family. He said then he was planning for his escape his whole life.

Police said as their probe widened, McLean sold his property, including houses and a lucrative race car business, and split the profits with his wife, whom he divorced.

The US Marshals estimate he fled to Canada with about $400,000 in cash to help him hide.

Police said McLean has been in touch with his family during the years on the run and was self-employed as a dealer and restorer of vintage race cars who liked to go primitive camping in the desert.

"McLean has been described as a loner with no real friends," the Marshals said. "He is considered armed and dangerous."